"So you want to start your training?" Shin asked as he rubbed his chin and looked at me with squinted eyes.
"Yes. I am… not up to the standard where I can protect Lady Anastasia, so I need some combat experience. I wonder if Mr Shin can arrange someone who can spar with me or train me." I rolled my eyes.
"Ho~? My new son wants to get stronger? How about I give you some personal training? But first, call me 'Oto-san.'"
I looked at him plainly and then sighed. "I guess I have to request Lady Anastasia first. Now that she is cheery nowadays, I am sure she will listen to me. She might issue a loyal request."
I wouldn't call him 'Father' ever. This person, along with his daughter, was devil incarnate. Let's not talk about Kasumi, the maid, but this person called Shin was very hard to read. Not because he was Asian and had squinted eyes but because he always wore a fake smile on his face. You never know whether this guy is serious or not.
It had been several weeks since the last incident with Anastasia. She became a lot better than she was before. Although she still threw tantrums for not paying attention to her, she at least began to listen to me. Since she was the lady of the castle and as her saviour, she would surely abide by my request.
She had already said, "Ivan, your needs are important since you are my butler. Just say if you need anything."
And so here I was.
I tried some exercises, but nothing seemed to be working. My stats were the same, and I hadn't levelled up. Until or unless I was allowed to fight some monsters or get magically adult to remove the level cap, I would remain weak.
It was our holiday so what day would be better to get some training?
I didn't know how the hell game butler was so strong, but I didn't have time to figure that out.
"Eh…?" Shin flinched and smiled wryly. He then coughed and added, "Then tell me a joke. It must be a hilarious and dirty one. Cautions, I am not easy to entertain."
I was speechless as to what to say to him. Butlers were supposed to be calm and composed with serious nature, yet he is asking a 12 years old child to spill a dirty joke.
Why was he asking me for jokes? It is because I once tried to make Anastasia laugh with my dad joke. Although she didn't laugh, the Russians, sigh; Shin, who was standing outside at the time, almost passed out by holding his laughter.
But I also had some humour left that I brought from another world.
"So what can a hot female teacher say in both classroom and bedroom?" I raised my finger, holding my upcoming smile.
"I don't know…Hehe..." Shin put his hand on his lips, stopping his already ready laugh.
"Fuck, is this period still going?!"
Shin remained silent before his cheeks swollen, and he cackled in loud laughter.
"Kohoho! Period! Seriously Ivan-kun… Kokokoko!"
Yes, guys, he laughs like a clown. It was kind of annoying. That's why I didn't want to tell him a joke, but it was hilarious.
He then got up and as he rubbed his eyes. "Haha… whoa, that was wild! Why didn't you laugh?"
"I am used to listen this kind of joke." I strengthen my colour with a proud smile. After being kicked out of the army, I was depressed, so my 'that' friend used to take to Stand-up comedy to cheer me up. It was a good time when I started losing my desire to shoot myself.
Even though he was my childhood friend, I hope never to see him again. I still wanted to have a fulfilling life.
"You have more…" He raised his attention, but I interrupted him.
"I will meet with Lady Anastasia," I said and was about to walk away when he stopped me.
"Okay, I got it." He spoke as he loosened his tie. "Jeez, why are you so stiff like the rest of Flareottems folks? Have some humour, pal."
Ask game developers who decided to make Flareottems' setting based on Russia.
He then asked me to state what kind of training I wanted to gain. I instantly replied to get mastery over different blades.
This world's primary weapons are swords, spears and bows. You can see almost everyone using these weapons for their defence. But it was not the only reason for asking for Shin's help.
According to Vivi, I had a 58% chance might getting a Rare Grade Treasure or particular high-rank skill or both if I challenged Shin and got his recognition.
I didn't know how to do it, but I had to try.
"Let's change location," I suggested, to which he agreed. I knew that I would not be getting easy hands with him, so I had a plan.
We removed our jackets and folded our sleeves while picking two non-lethal swords. Although they were made of steel, they didn't have any edges. I chose a little short sword to use my [Dagger Dance] skill.
"Well, Ivan. Let's put some boundaries first since you might get killed if I turn even a little serious."
That's what I was about to ask.
Imagine fighting with a level 50 warrior against a level 3 noob. Even one attack would be enough to erase a low-level noob's existence.
"So the rule is…."
"Simple enough. I won't be attacking. You have to lay one attack on me, whether you touch it or cut my butt in half. All up to you. The time limit is ten minutes."
I nodded, ignoring the apparent dad joke for the last part.
Just as we took our stances, I leashed towards him with full speed and drew a vertical slash. I smirked as I was sure that my sword would hit his abdomen since he was close, and dodging would be impossible. I was sure of it.
I was pretty impressed with myself for winning against him so early, but my disappointment didn't disappoint me when his sword miraculously blocked my sword.
I widened my eyes and looked at him to see whether he was using any magic. Unlike the enemies I had faced so far, he was different. I couldn't tell whether he was a fighter or a simple human.
I tried to put some weight on my sword, but I couldn't get a grip. Shin was smiling and moving his sword in some unusual way.
He narrowed his gleaming red eyes while wearing the same fake smile, "Let's add something first, shall we?"
I immediately stepped back but kept my guard up.
"Although I have already admitted you as my foster son and a good comedian, I have no intention of training you to get stronger."
"…Then what is the get here?"
"Up to the point, huh? Well, I am willing to teach you some basic arts or skills and even award you a Treasure, but there is a condition. Same. just land a hit on me, and we are done." Shin said, and just then, sparks began to surround him. "But this time, I will be playing with you."
I widened my eyes.
"Wait, lighting- ack!"
Before I knew I was kicked on my left shoulder.
[-4 HP for taking damage.]
[HP: 30/34, MP: 18/18]
His kick touched me lightly, and yet I was thrown so far. My HP also dropped significantly.
It was probably not my first time losing my health but seeing it in numeric form did alert my senses to remain cautious—another benefit to having a status screen.
"It seems like my little son still didn't understand my wish," Shin said as he strolled toward me.
Gritting my teeth and clutching my shoulder, I somehow got and took the stance while trying to figure out his technique.
I forgot that Shin was one of few characters in the game who could use Lighting Nature.
However, Shin was right in front of me with his next step. He swung his sword so fast that it could have severed my head, but my [Instincts] skill came in handy, and I dodged it.
I didn't waste the chance and used my skill
[Dagger Dance F: -2 MP]
I swung my sword in a blink, inflicting two cuts, but Shin quickly blocked my hits like he was shoving a fly away while keeping his eyes locked on me.
What the hell!
It was a little creepy, but I had to focus.
He got a little closer when I was about to use a skill; he spoke, "Not only I will not train you but will keep you a weakling like a little chick. Your skills, your abilities, I will wreck everything to make you my little 'chick' so that I can raise you like a 'good boy' that you are not currently."
"The hell?!" I sneered and made another mistake of answering his provocation.
"Ack!!" A foot landed on my chest, sending me flying a couple of meters away.
I rolled a couple of times before finally stopping myself.
[-6 HP for taking damage.]
[HP: 24/34, MP: 16/18]
"Cough* Cough*" I coughed a couple of times before moaning with pain in my chest. Seeing HP dropping was one thing, but feeling the pain was another. It also sucked stamina and willpower to continue further.
But I was now pissed.
While on the ground, I was still thinking when his boots came into view. I raised my head and saw him smiling.
"You know, it will be not my first time raising a chick. I have raised many chicks. Some survived, the world forgets some, but all of them were 'good children, ' unlike little Ivan." He said as he raised his foot to stomp my head.
'This sick fu*king bastard!' I gritted my teeth, annoyed by his sick words, but I had to move.
"Happy to be your father," Shin smirked as he stomped his foot.
'This isn't happening.'
Bang!
---
Cracks formed under Shin's foot, but the person he was supposed to kill wasn't there.
"Hmm?" She noticed that Ivan used some skill for slipping behind him. Now that he remembered, the little boy had some talent where he could hide in the shadow of anyone.
But the duration of hiding there was short as Shin could see Ivan running towards the woods.
"Oiya, you want to fight in the woods? I don't mind playing hide and seek with my son since it is also my holiday." Shin smirked as he opened his eyes and licked his lips, seeing the running figure of the little boy disappearing from his sight.
"One, two, three…twenty. Ready or not, here I come!" Shin said and started walking while playing with his sword. He loved to play with children~.